Londoners are the most likely to turn to their credit cards to get through
January, research suggests.

A third of credit card users will be relying on their plastic to get them through January, research has found.

Some 35pc of credit card users surveyed by the Post Office, which would equate to 12 million people across the UK, said they will be using their cards to cover daily purchases.

Four out of 10 credit card users said they would put their grocery shopping on their plastic this month, while 7pc plan to use their cards to help cover fuel bills and 8pc will use their card to help pay off Christmas debts.

Londoners are the most likely to turn to their credit card this month, while people in the North West are the least likely, the research suggested.

John Willcock, head of credit cards at Post Office, said: "While many people intend to manage their credit card purchases and repayments sensibly, there are still too many people who are not thinking of the consequences of their festive spending.

"It is surprising to see so many people forced to rely on their plastic for daily essentials this month."

The findings come after official figures showed yesterday that winter energy bill hikes helped keep the annual rate of inflation at 2.7pc for the third month in a row.

Analysts expect households to remain under pressure in the coming months, with poor harvests also set to push up food costs. A stagnation in average wages is also expected to continue while austerity measures will also kick in.

Britain's consumer debt stands at nearly £1.5 trillion, making it the highest of any developed nation relative to the size of the economy.

Consumer group Which? said last month that nearly half of Britons (46pc) paid for their Christmas on credit this year, including credit cards, overdrafts, store cards and payday loans.

More than 2,000 people took part in the Post Office's research across the UK.